MENTION the Salvation Army, and many people will conjure up an image of a brass band in uniform playing carols, or corps members selling the War Cry in local pubs.

Yet the general public is often unaware of the huge commitment the "people's church" makes to helping those in most need.

"What we do out in the community springs from the church," said Susan Broster, community services manager at the Salvation Army Citadel in York.

"We are a seven-day-a-week church, and that is what I believe we should be. Church is not just Sunday."

Every day of the year, York Salvationists are working to help the homeless, the disabled, and anyone who has slipped through society's safety net. And they hope to raise people's awareness of this role during their first ever open day next week.

The Salvation Army has a long record of what is now called social outreach work. Ever since the Citadel was founded in Gillygate in 1882, members have been striving to help York's needy.

In more recent years, the work of the church has been put on a much more formal footing, as Susan explained.

"We have to live in the real world, we have to work within health and safety legislation.

"You have got to be professional, have trained people and know what you are doing."

The York corps' various activities are carried out by a small team of full-time staff backed up by a dedicated band of about 30 volunteers.

Community work is part-funded by grants from the Government and the local authority. The corps has formed partnerships with several relevant agencies and its relationship with City of York Council in particular is excellent, Susan stresses.

It is involved in the wider community in two ways. Firstly, the Citadel hosts local groups, for mother and toddlers, senior citizens and others. A charity shop is also on the premises.

Secondly, it runs a range of programmes reaching out to those in need. Three of these Salvation Army schemes are targeted at people with learning difficulties.

One of these, Community Support Link, "enables people with learning disabilities to live independently in the community, " says Susan. Support workers help with everything from paying bills to shopping.

York Advocacy goes a step further. Trained volunteers help those with learning difficulties "speak up for themselves" in disputes, whether they are legal wrangles or a disagreement with a neighbour.

And on-site training is also offered at the Citadel. For example, caterers teach basic food preparation on Mondays and Thursdays to the learning disabled. The students then serve the meals to the senior citizens' luncheon club, which develops social and communication skills.

Helping the homeless has been a cornerstone of the Salvation Army's work ever since it began.

In York, outreach and settlement workers regularly take to the streets armed with everything from sleeping bags to expert help on finding accommodation.

The corps also runs a bond guarantee scheme to help homeless people secure more permanent accommodation; and issues travel warrants to pay for urgent journeys.

A scheme called Solid Foundations, run with the York Housing Association, is targeted at assisting long-term rough sleepers into proper homes.

"History tells us you can't put a homeless person from the street into four walls and expect them to make it," says Susan. "So we offer support to help them set up a home. We help them to manage their money, look at training opportunities, maybe look towards getting a job."

As well as the programmes aimed at the homeless and people with learning disabilities, the Salvation Army's community care ministries provides spiritual and social ministry to anyone in need.

The Salvationist approach is always to apply Christian teaching in a practical way that helps people to help themselves, Susan says.

"People can be marginalised by society. We want to get them in and help them gain access to the things other people have and do."

In an effort to engage further with the community it serves, the York corps is holding its first ever open day next Monday, March 18. After an invitation-only reception at 12.30pm, the Citadel will throw open its doors at 1.15pm to the general public.

In attendance will be the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, Major Paul Westlake, commanding officer of the Salvation Army Citadel in York, officers from the regional and national headquarters and Susan herself.

It is an opportunity for all York residents to learn more about all aspects of its work.

"Come inside and see what we are doing," says Susan. "It's not just Sunday worship."

Updated: 10:43 Tuesday, March 12, 2002